How to fully encode a Xiaomi smartphone from the prying eyes: from basic lock to hidden features

Have you ever left your Xiaomi on a table in a cafe or handed it to a colleague to show you a photo and suddenly caught yourself thinking, “What if he doesn’t look anywhere?” 68% of users have experienced at least one situation when strangers tried to access their phone, and it’s not just about thieves — often friends, relatives or even children who accidentally (or intentionally) can see personal correspondence, financial data or work documents.

In this article, we will discuss not only standard methods of blocking (like the one used in the article). PIN-code or pattern lock, but also hidden functions MIUI, The things that few people know about, from creating a false desktop to hardware encryption, are all tested on current versions. MIUI 14/15 They work on models from Redmi Note. 11 Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If you use an older device 2020 In the year, some items may require firmware updates.

Basic protection: PIN, password and biometrics

Let's start with the basics, but don't rush to skip this section, even experienced users often misconfigure the basic lock, which reduces its effectiveness to zero. For example, a 4-dot pattern lock is hacked in 15 minutes using special algorithms, and a standard one is hacked. PIN 1234 or Date of Birth – in a matter of seconds.

How to set up the most reliable basic protection:

• 🔢 PIN-code: minimum length of 8 characters, no repeating numbers and obvious combinations (e.g. 11223344). Use letters and characters if your model supports alpha digital password (available on Xiaomi) 12T Pro and newer).
• 🔄 pattern lock: choose a pattern from 9+ Avoid simple figures (square, zigzag). MIUI You can only enable the display of points after the first touch: → Lock screen → Additional settings → Hide the trajectory.
• 👆 Fingerprint: Register both index fingers (left and right hand) + This will speed up unlocking and reduce the risk of reading error. 3D-With a scanner (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) add scanning at different angles.
• 👁️ Facial recognition: only works on infrared camera devices (Xiaomi series) 11/12/13/14). Enable the option to Require your eyes open so that your phone doesn’t unlock from the photo.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a Smart Lock (auto-unlock in trusted locations), turn it off for public networks like McDonald’s_Free_WiFi» Or "Aeroflot Lounge." Attackers can fake it. SSID access the phone without entering a password.

2. Hidden functions MIUI: second desktop and bait application

Xiaomi built into MIUI There are some non-obvious tools that allow you to hide your personal data even if the phone is already in the hands of an outsider:

📱 Second Desktop (Second Space)

It's a separate sandbox with its own apps, settings and data, so you can create a clean profile to show to other people, and leave your personal data in the main space.

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second work table.
2. Click Create a second desktop and follow the instructions.
3. In the second space settings, disable sync with Mi Account and remove all unnecessary apps.
4. Return to the main space can be swiped down two fingers on the lock screen (setting is included in Settings). → Lock screen → Gestures).

🎭 App-bait (App Cloner)

Function Double annexes to MIUI It allows you to create a copy of a messenger (like Telegram or WhatsApp) with an empty history of correspondence. When you are asked to show a chat, you open a "clean" copy. How to activate it:

Settings → Applications → Dual applications → Select messenger → Clone

After cloning:

• Remove all real dialogues from the copy.
• Turn off notifications for the cloned app.
• Hide the original application in the folder or through Settings → Annexes → Hide applications.

3. Hardware encryption: data protection at the iron level

If the phone falls into the hands of an experienced hacker, a standard screen lock will not save: data can be extracted through the use of a computer. ADB, Fastboot or even physically plugging the flash memory into another device, and that's where full disk encryption can help (FDE) file-based encryption (FBE), Available on all Xiaomi with Android 10+.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times to activate Developer Mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and find the item Encryption and credentials.
3. Select Encrypt Phone (the process will take 30-60 minutes, the device must be charged to 80%+).

What encryption does:

• 🔒 Data on internal memory becomes unreadable without unlock password.
• 🛡️ Even when connecting to a PC via Fastboot, access to files will be blocked.
• ⚠️ If you forget your password, it will be impossible to restore data (even through Mi Account).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) encryption can reduce performance by 10-15% due to a weak processor. Before activating, check if your device supports File-Based Encryption (FBE) — It's a gentler mode. You can find out the type of encryption you want through the command: adb shell getprop ro.crypto.type If the answer file - you have FBE, if block is obsolete FDE (may slow down).

4. Blocking individual applications and folders

Even if the phone is unlocked, you can restrict access to specific applications or files. MIUI There are built-in tools for this, but they work only when the screen is actively locked (otherwise they are bypassed through the settings).

🔐 Application lockdown:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
2. Set a password (it may be different from the PIN-lock-screen!).
3. Select the applications that you want to block (for example, SberBank Online, Gallery, Telegram).
4. Enable the option to Hide notifications of blocked applications.

📁 File protection at the Gallery:

In the standard Gallery app, you can hide photos and videos:

• Open the album, press select → select files → More. → Hide.
• Hidden files will only be available after entering a password in the Albums section. → Hidden.
• For additional protection, turn on Gallery settings → Hidden albums → Hide the hidden album icon.

📎 Blocking files in the Explorer:

The Files app from Xiaomi allows you to encrypt individual documents:

1. Open Files, find the file you want, and hold your finger on it.
2. Press More. → Encrypt and set a password.
3. Encrypted files will be marked with an icon 🔒 and will only open after entering the password.

Have you set a separate lock password (not the same as the one on the screen)?

Have you hidden notifications from blocked apps?

Checked whether the lock is in safe mode (press and hold the off button) → "Safe regime")?

Have you backed up your passwords in Mi Cloud (in case of resetting)?-->

5.Surveillance protection: how to disable access to the location and microphone

And outsiders can not only view your files, but they can also track your location or they can listen through the microphone, for example, if you give a child a phone to play, and he accidentally launches an app with access to geodata, and here's how to prevent this from happening:

📍 Disabling location for individual applications:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permits → Location.
2. Select an application (such as Google Maps or Yandex.Maps) and set permissions during use only or to disallow.
3. To completely disable geolocation, use Settings → Location → Regime. → The device only (disables) GPS, but leaves an approximate location over the networks).

🎤 Locking microphone and camera:

• B Settings → Confidentiality → Select the Microphone or Camera.
• Disable access for all applications except system applications (e.g. Phone or Camera).
• On models with Android 12+ Turn on the microphone/camera access indicator (green dot in the upper right corner of the screen).

🛡️ Incognito mode for the browser:

If you are transferring a phone with an open browser, enable automatic deletion of data after closing:

Settings → Applications → Browser → Additional → Delete data when you exit

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as TikTok or Instagram) can bypass system permissions and collect data in the background. To avoid this, use Firewall applications like NetGuard (requires root rights) or turn off background activity for suspicious programs in Settings. → Battery. → Optimizing the battery.

6.The blacklist and call restriction

If you are getting tired of calls from strangers or want to limit outgoing calls (for example, for a child), MIUI There are built-in tools:

📞 Blocking incoming calls:

1. Open the phone application → ⋮ → Settings → Blacklist.
2. Add numbers manually or select from the call log.
3. Enable the option to Block Unknown Numbers (caution: can block important calls from banks or delivery services!).

🚫 Limitation of outgoing calls:

This feature is useful if you give a phone to a child or employee:

• Install the Google Family Link app (for children under 13) or Digital Wellbeing (for time limits).
• In Digital Wellbeing, set up Parental Controls → Restrictions on annexes → Phone.
• To completely block outgoing calls (except for emergency numbers), use apps like Call Blocker with Parental Control.

📵 Do not disturb the schedule:

If you don’t want your phone to ring at a certain time (such as during a meeting):

Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb → Schedule

💡

To quickly block all notifications, swipe down from the top edge of the screen, hold the Do Not Disturb icon and select "For 1 hour" or "For the rest of the day."

Extreme measures: remote lockdown and discharge

If a phone is lost or stolen, Xiaomi allows you to remotely lock it or even erase all data.

• 📱 Linked to Mi Account (check in Settings) → Xiaomi account).
• 🌐 Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled.
• 🔄 The function Find the device (Settings) is activated → Xiaomi account → Find the device).

🔒 How to remotely lock your phone:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the lost device in the list.
3. Click Block and set a new password (it will replace the old one!).
4. Add a contact number message to the lock screen.

⚠️ How to erase all data:

Use this function only if you are sure that the phone will not return - after resetting, it will be impossible to restore data!

On i.mi.com → Select Device → Click “Erase Data” → Confirm

⚠️ Note: If encryption is enabled on the phone (see section 3), resetting to factory settings via Recovery will not delete the data completely! To completely destroy information, use only remote reset via Mi Account or physical formatting of flash memory in the service center.

💡

The remote locking through Mi Account works even if you SIM-The card has been replaced, but requires an Internet connection. If the phone is turned off, the command will be executed the next time it turns on.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi protection